“Gracious! No indeed. I mean … that is to say …” She controlled her babbling mouth with difficulty, settled Rosie once again, and wondered where Andrew was at this moment. She devoutly hoped he was nowhere within hearing. “I had planned to begin at the university in September, but I suppose that opportunity is now lost until next year. I—my plans are unsettled at the moment.”
Going home seemed monumental enough that she could not see past it. And in some ways, she did not want to.
“I wonder … Lady Claire, forgive me, but a mind such as yours comes along so rarely that I must speak. I admired you before, but only in a general sense. Now my admiration is tinged with ambition. For myself, and for the Zeppelin Airship Works.”
Puzzled, she gazed at him. “Sir?”
“Would you consider attending the university in Munich, and upon your graduation, coming to work for me?”
This time she did drop poor Rosie. The bird landed on the deck in a flutter of wings and claws, and stalked off toward the dining salon, where the Mopsies could be counted upon to have a treat at hand and make a much more reliable cushion.
Claire, bereft of speech, could only stare open-mouthed at the count.
“I realize that this is wholly unexpected, and you must not give me an answer this moment. All I ask is that you consider it. The University of Bavaria, as you know, is second only to the University of Edinburgh for scientific achievement.”
“I—yes, I did know,” Claire managed.
She felt as if the floor had opened under her feet and left her suspended in air. Her stomach dipped and plunged while her mind flew ahead, across the Atlantic, to the little cottage by the river and the children who lived there.
“I izeeadhave responsibilities—the children—”
“Ja, I realize this is so, and I admire you for considering their welfare before your own. I also admire these young ladies. Not every little girl in ruffled pantaloons can sabotage an airship quite so effectively.”
With a trembling smile, Claire nodded in agreement. “They are my wards, count. I cannot leave them, even in the face of an offer as attractive as yours.”
“And I should not expect you to. They ought to go to school as well. There are many fine lycees in Munich, some not a stone’s throw from the gates of Schloss Schwanenstein.”
“Is that an hotel?”
He laughed. “Nein, my dear young lady. The schloss is my family estate in Munich. You might call it a castle or a palace, but it has become much more than that. It is—permit me to say—the center of advanced thinking in Europe, much as the salons of London were a hundred years ago. You and the girls might live there as my guests, until your career is launched and you are able to provide a home for them on your own.”
Again Claire lost her breath. “But, sir … How is it possible? What have I done to deserve such generosity at your hands?”
The count rocked back on his heels, his hands clasped behind his back, keeping a keen eye on the slowly approaching horizon. “It is not what you have done, though saving my life is a not inconsiderable part of it. It is what you are capable of doing, my dear. I have faith in you. Perhaps it is time for you to have faith in yourself.”
“But—there are other children—at the cottage. In London. Not Munich.”
“How are they being supported?”
“They earn their living gambling at the moment. And I have certain investments. The cottage is paid for, and Granny Protheroe sees to their immediate needs.”
“Then you must certainly visit during holidays. It is not far, you know. A Zeppelin airship makes the journey from Munich to London in—”
“—three hours. Yes, I know. I should like to see a Meriwether-Astor ship attempt such a feat.” She must deflect this conversation, even for a moment, to more prosaic subjects so that her staggering mind could recover.
“After our interview with the Viceroy, I very much doubt you will see a Meriwether-Astor ship at all in English skies. He will be marooned on his own continent and will have to content himself with ferrying groceries and livestock up and down the eastern seaboard.” The count looked exceedingly pleased at this prospect.
Then he gave her a little bow.
“As I have said, I do not require an answer immediately. We have work to do first. But when you have consulted with your wards and with your friends,